Custom Built Car Registration

In Kentucky, registering your custom-built car can be the same as registering any other vehicle, or it can be a much more tedious process―it all depends on where the car was built.

Out-of-State Custom Vehicles

If your car was custom-built out of state―good news. You'll only need to follow the same registration process as you would for any other vehicle (submitting a completed Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration and all applicable taxes to your County Clerk's office).

Note that if you bring the custom-built vehicle to Kentucky and don't have a title for it, Kentucky won't allow you to operate the vehicle legally. You'll need to contact your previous state and go through its process of getting a title for a custom-built vehicle before you can get a title in Kentucky.

In-State Custom Vehicles

If you custom-built the car in Kentucky, you'll need to take a few more steps:

• Gather all labor receipts and invoices, as well as receipts and any former titles from parts purchased.

• Obtain a notarized, detailed labor statement from the person who built the vehicle.

• Complete an Application for Motor Vehicle Number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

• Take all of the above to your County Clerk's office to be issued a VIN.

• Once you have a VIN, head to your sheriff's office to have the vehicle inspected and ensure there's no VIN already assigned.

• All information will be sent to the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing, who will then send both you and your clerk an approval notice.

• Once you get your approval, take it to the clerk. If everything matches up, your title will be sent to you in the mail.

Check out our Registration FAQs section for more information about registering and titling vehicles.

MOST FREQUENTLY VISITED SECTIONS

• Kentucky Registration and Titling
• Kentucky Smog and Emission Checks
• Kentucky License Plates and Placards
• The Insurance Center
• Buying and Selling Vehicles